Sports Takes and Predictions

NBA Playoffs First Round Excitement Ratings

I am a big fan of the NBA Playoffs. As much as I love college basketball, there is no doubt that you will see the highest quality basketball played during the NBA Playoffs. With this post I am unveiling a new system – the Average Guy Excitement Rating or AGER. Basically, this is my way of sharing the excitement I have for certain sporting events. Here I’ll apply it to the eight first round NBA playoff series.

#5 Utah Jazz v. #4 Denver Nuggets

Average Guy Excitement Rating (AGER) – 8

These two teams have been battling for the Northwest division for a few years. Denver is a freewheeling, high-excitement, explosive and emotional squad that has dealt with a lot of turmoil this year. Utah is a fundamentally sound, highly-talented team that is very diffcult to beat in Salt Lake City. Both teams have superstars (Carmelo, Billups, D-Will, Boozer) and potential high volume scorers (J.R. Smith, Okur). This one has high intrigue, back and forth, seven game series written all over it.

#8 Oklahoma City Thunder v. #1 Los Angeles Lakers

AGER – 8

Kevin Durant had a phenomenal regular season that merits some consideration for MVP. And, of course, the Lakers are the defending champions. Oklahoma City has snuck up on a lot of sports fans. If you haven’t been paying attention you probably have no idea how good of a season they had. Now they get their chance to prove themselves against the Lakers. When I think of this series I can’t help but think about Michael Jordan and the Bulls playing the Celtics in the 1986 playoffs.

#7 San Antonio Spurs v. #2 Dallas Mavericks

AGER – 7

If the Spurs go out in the first round of the playoffs their acquisition of Richard Jefferson will be a failure. Can you really picture that happening? Yet, here they are a seven seed playing against a powerful Mavericks team that will have scoring options all over the court throught most of each game. How much longer will we get to see Jason Kidd? This should be a great series.

#6 Portland Trail Blazers v. #3 Phoenix Suns

AGER – 5

If Brandon Roy was healthy I would definitely rank this higher. I still think the Blazers are pretty good, but with the pace Phoenix plays and their experience in the playoffs I don’t think Portland will be able to keep up with them. What an interesting season the Suns have had – they started out strong, really struggled in December and January, tried hard to trade Amare Stoudamire, and then finished with a bang.

#5 Miami Heat v. #4 Boston Celtics

AGER – 5

To this point you probably thought I was only focusing on the Western Conference. I just don’t think there is a lot of excitement in the Eastern Conference matchups. This one has the potential to be the lone exception and that’s really only because of Dwayne Wade. Can he will his team to victory over a Celtics team that has looked real old, real divided, and also really good at times this season?

#8 Chicago Bulls v. #1 Cleveland Cavaliers

AGER – 4

LeBron and Derrick Rose – those are the two main reasons to watch this series. Cavs coach Mike Brown and his staff will have to put a lot of time and effort into this series to establish a rotation and figure out how all of their pieces work best together. Another reason to watch – will their be a fight on the Bulls bench?

#7 Charlotte Bobcats v. #2 Orlando Magic

AGER – 4

Maybe it’s because I live in North Carolina and actually want the Bobcats to do well, but I think they could give the Magic more than they bargained for here. That’s not to say that I think they will win this series. If Tyson Chandler can continue his solid play of late and Charlotte can keep up their defensive intensity, they could certainly force a game six and maybe even seven.

#6 Milwaukee Bucks v. #3 Atlanta Hawks

AGER – 3

Because of their athleticism the Hawks can be a fun team to watch. With Brandon Jennings and John Salmons, the Bucks can be enjoyable as well. But, without Andrew Bogut it is highly doubtful that the Bucks can push this series to even six games.

4 Responses

I think the Spurs-Mavericks will be epic because both teams are playing so well. That’s a ridiculous first round match-up and easily the one I’m most excited about. I’m also interested to see how the Lakers-Thunder series goes on two levels – 1. How Kevin Durant will handle his first playoff series? 2. Will the Lakers be able to just turn it on and be dominant again?

Also, Phoenix looked awesome at the end of the season, but Portland could be a tough match-up because they have the mobility up front to challenge the Suns’ three-point shooters. Also, Steve Nash may be the best shooter I’ve ever seen. 50/40/90 four times. Only other player to do it: Larry Bird, twice.